EMA is a dynamic linear-programming model of U.S. wholesale electricity markets designed to examine how mid- to long-term energy and environmental policies will influence electricity supply decisions, electricity generation costs, and electricity prices.

Approach

The EMA model determines least-cost methods for meeting electricity demand on a seasonal and time-of-day basis, while considering factors such as growth in demand, peak demands, and limits on emissions. Markets for electric power in EMA are modeled along geographic lines as distinct markets with specific characteristics and interregional electricity transmission capabilities.
The EMA model can estimate impacts associated with a variety of policies related to the generation mix, limits on criteria pollutants, and cap-and-trade systems to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Also, it can be linked to the RTI ADAGE economic model. The model aggregates data in 13 distinct electricity markets across the United States.

When to Use This Tool

This tool is most useful for development impacts assessments focused on:

Social

Economic

Environmental

Learn more about the topics for assessing the impacts of low-emission development strategies (LEDS).

Key Outputs

Change in electricity supply decisions, electricity generation costs, and electricity prices due to the policies.

How to Use This Tool

Level of Expertise
Advanced

Key Inputs

Energy and economic data

Case Studies

Examples of how Electricity Markets Analysis (EMA) Model has helped people assessing the impacts of low-emission development strategies in countries and regions:

The RTI Electricity Markets Analysis (EMA) model is a dynamic linear-programming model of U.S. wholesale electricity markets. It is designed to examine how mid- to long-term policies affecting these markets will influence electricity supply decisions, electricity generation costs, and electricity prices. To accomplish this, the model determines least-cost methods for meeting electricity demand on a seasonal and time-of-day basis, while considering factors such as growth in demand, peak demands, and limits on emissions.

The model can estimate impacts associated with a variety of policies related to the generation mix, limits on criteria pollutants, and cap-and-trade systems to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

If desired, the electricity model can be linked to the RTI ADAGE economic model. This linkage allows the two models to iterate to a solution that considers how changes in electricity markets affect fuel markets and the rest of the economy, and how changes in the rest of the economy affect electricity demands and generation costs. The documentation below provides electricity market results for a carbon tax policy based on findings from the ADAGE model.